Wheel alignment tool

ABSTRACT

The tool includes an elongated rod with an adjustable clamping device on one rod end portion and another clamping device on the other rod end portion.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,731,906

Beach 1 1 May 8, 1973 [54] WHEEL ALIGNMENT TOOL [56] References Cited Inventor: Beacl1, Street, Jacksonvllle, Fla. 32205 637,827 11/1899 Quesenberry ..254/67 [22] Flledl June 14, 1971 688,106 12/1901 Lynd 1 1 ..254/100 [211 pp No: 153 04 3,150,859 9/1964 Payne ..254/93 R Related U.S. Application Data Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr.

. Assistant ExaminerRosc0e V. Parker 63] 58:52:15? of Ser. No. 856,991, Sept. 11, 1969, An0mey Ge0rge H. Baldwin et al- 52 us. (:1 .254/100 1 ABSTRACT [51] Illl. Cl. ..B66f 3/08, B66f 3/36 The tool includes an elongated rod h an adjustable [58] Field of Search ..254/l, 98, 100, 67, clamping device on one rod end portion and another 254/93 R; 269/43, 97, 1 24/81 81 clamping device on the other rod end portion.

16 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 81m 3.731.906

INVENTUR Bill 5806/) ATTOIPA/[V WHEEL ALIGNMENT TOOL This application is a continuation of my U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 856,991, filed Sept. 11, 1969, and now abandoned.

The tool consists of a steel rod threaded on each end, three metal plates welded to tubular steel sleeves which telescopingly slide over the rod and are secured in position by nuts and washers, thus forming a clamping device at each end portion of the rod which are relatively movable toward and away from each other.

The adjustment is made by clamping one end of the tool to the vehicle rear axle, and clamping the other end of the tool to the vehicle frame, for example, the securing bolt of the spring plate mounting cover, turning the nuts in the desired direction moves the clamping device at the other end relative to the clamping device on the one end as required for the appropriate toe or the track position. Turning the nuts clockwise will increase toe in of the wheel, and turning the nuts counter clockwise will increase toe out of the wheel. The toe position directly effects the rear wheel track.

BRIEF DRAWING DESCRIPTION The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the wheel alignment tool in accord with this invention installed between the rear wheel and the frame of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tool of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tool of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the wheel alignment tool is generally designated at and includes an elongated body in the form of tempered steel rod 11 having threaded end portions 12 and 13. A clamping means 14 is connected to end portion 13 of rod 11 for attachment to a rear axle 15 adjacent a rear wheel 17 of a vehicle 18 to be aligned or adjusted, as shown in FIG. 1. Clamping means 16 is connected to end portion 12 of rod 11 for attachment to the frame 21 of vehicle 18, for example to the securing bolt 19 of spring plate mounting cover 20 affixed to the vehicle frame 21 which is located forwardly of the rear axle 15 and adjacent the rear wheel 17 to be aligned or adjusted. The clamping means 14 and 16 are relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe and track of the rear wheel 17 may be adjusted by the mechanic, as will be described hereinafter.

Clamping means 14 is seen to include an upstanding clamping element 25 welded to rod 11 and having an arcuate face 26 in face to face relation with arcuate face 27 of clamping element 28, element 28*having an upstanding portion 29 welded to sleeve portion 30 which slidingly telescopes around rod end portion 13. Nut 31 and washer 32 removably attach element 28 to rod 11 and permits ready positioning of the rear axle 15 between elements 25 and 28 whereby the arcuate faces 26 and 27 releasably engage such rear axle 15, as would be apparent to a mechanic.

Clamping means 16 is seen to include a pair of clamping elements 35 and 36 having respective arcuate faces 37 and 38 facing each other and forming an opening 39 adjacent the upper end portions 40 and 41 for receiving therein the lower securing bolt 19 of spring plate mounting cover 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Elements 35 and 36 respectively include upstanding portions 42 and 43 welded to sleeve portions 441 and 45 which slidingly telescope around rod end portion 12. The nuts 46 and 47 and washers 48 and 49 adjustably secure elements 35 and 36 to the threaded end portion 12 whereby the relative axial or longitudinal spacing between the elements 35 and 36 and elements 25 and 28 after attachment to respective securing bolt 19 and rear axle 15 may be varied to adjust the toe in, toe out or track of wheel 17, in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION The rear wheel suspension on Volkswagen is independently suspended from each other. It is necessary at times to position the proper wheel track and toe to caster factory and desired specifications. The toe in is changed when the axle is moved toward the front of the automobile, this swings the axle which is anchored in the center to the transmission, to the front and turns the leading side of the rear wheel to the center of the vehicle causing the toe in to increase. The axle moving to the rear of the vehicle, swings the wheel so the trailing side of the wheel is turned toward the center of the vehicle this causes a toe out condition of the wheel. The toe set tool 10 in accord with this invention is capable of clamping the axle l5 and the body of the vehicle in a fixed position, and by the use of the adjusting nuts 46 and 47 the mechanic can make any desired adjustments on the wheel of the vehicle. The track of the wheel is adjusted in the same manner by the mechanic.

METHOD OF OPERATION The toe set tool 10 is used in the following manner: clamp means 16 of the tool around the lower rear securing bolt 19 of the spring plate mounting cover 20. Clamping is obtained by first loosening the nut 46 in a clockwise direction and nut 47 in a counter clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 4 allowing elements 35 and 36 to separate, then arcuate surfaces 37 and 38 engage the bolt 19 of the cover 20 and the nuts 46 and 47 are tightened so that the bolt 19 is securely held within opening 39 by the clamping elements 35 and 36 thereby removably affixing end portion 12 of the tool 10 to the body frame portion of the vehicle. The opposite end 13 of the tool 10 is removably affixed to the constant velocity rear axle 15 again using generally the same procedure hereinabove described with respect to clamping means 16, namely by untightening nut 31 and sliding sleeve 30 and element 28 away from clamping element 25 so that the axle 15 may be inserted through the entrance 50 between the elements 25 and 28 and into the opening 51 defined between the arcuate surfaces 26 and 27, whereupon the nut 31 is tightened so that the axle is securely gripped. It is to be understood that the clamping means 14 may be attached to axle 15 prior to clamping means 16 being secured to bolt 19 of cover plate 20 as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The adjustment is performed by turning nuts 47 and 48 in the same direction but depending on the adjustment needed for the proper toe in or toe out position of rear wheel 17, whereby clamping means 15 and 14 are moved toward or away from each other. In the specific embodiment herein shown, turning the adjusting nuts in a clockwise direction increases toe in, while turning the adjusting nuts in a counter clockwise direction decreases the toe in position of the wheel.

Presently the rear wheel toe and track of Volkswagen and similar vehicles is done by using three different and very difficult tools to make the adjustment. A standard vehicle jack, a special spring plate jack, and a hammer. The method not only is crude and filled with guesswork, but is dangerous due to the constant possibility of the jacks slipping and injuring the mechanic.

The tool 10 in accord with this invention will replace these three tools and will be a scientific, safe and accurate way of making the desired and required adjustments. By attaching the tool 10 in place, and turning the adjusting nuts 47 and 48 in the desired direction, the toe and track will be safely, efficiently and readily performed by a mechanic.

I claim:

1. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion and including clamping means for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said other end portion being threaded, said clamping means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded other end portion and longitudinally slidable thereon, said clamping means including a pair of nuts disposed on opposite sides of said sleeve and threadedly engaged on said threaded portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeve toward and away from said first means, said first means including a pair of elongated elements one of which being fixed to said one end portion, said one end portion bring threaded, said first means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded one end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve, said first means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements engaging the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned therebetween, said nut when tightened against said sleeve securely affixing the axle between said pair of elements.

2. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said other end portion being threaded, said second means including a pair of sleeves surrounding said threaded other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, each said sleeve having opposite ends with one of each said ends being in face to face relation, said second means including a pair of nuts disposed adjacent the other of each said ends and threadedly engaged on said threaded portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeves toward and away from said first means.

3. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 2 wherein said second means includes a pair of elongated elements respectively attached to one of their ends to said sleeves, each said element including a clamping portion adjacent the other element end for releasably attaching the tool to a frame of a vehicle.

4. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said second means including means for moving said second means relatively toward and away from said first means whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said first means including a pair of elongated elements one of which is fixed to said one end portion said one end portion being threaded, said first means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded one end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve, said first means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements engaging the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned therebetween, said nut when tightened against said sleeve securely affixing the axle between said pair of elements.

5. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 4, wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a sleeve surrounding said threaded other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, said means for moving including a pair of nuts disposed on opposite sides of said sleeve and threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeve toward and away from said first means.

6. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 4 wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a pair of sleeves surrounding said threaded other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, each said sleeve having opposite ends with one of each said ends being in face to face relation, said means for moving including a pair of nuts disposed adjacent the other of each said sleeve ends and threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeves toward and away from said first means.

7. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for moving includes a pair of elongated elements respectively attached to one of their ends to said sleeves, each said element of said means for moving including a clamping portion adjacent the other element end for releasably attaching the tool to a frame of a vehicle.

8. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said second means including means for moving said second means relatively toward and away from said first means whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said one and other end portions being threaded, said means for moving including a pair of elongated elements and a pair of sleeves attached to respective said elements adjacent respective ends thereof, the other element ends forming a clamping portion for releasably attaching the tool to the spring plate mounting cover bolt of a vehicle, said sleeves being surroundingly disposed on said threaded other end portion, said means for moving including a nut threadedly disposed on said other end portion for removably connecting one of said sleeves to said other end portion, said first means including a pair of elongated elements one of which is fixed to said one member end portion, said firs means including a sleeve surrounding and slidably disposed on said threaded one end portion and a nut threadedly disposed on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve thereto, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve disposed on said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements on said one end portion forming a clamping portion for releasably attaching the tool to the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned between said pair of elements.

9. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for moving includes a sleeve surrounding said other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, said means for moving including means for adjusting said sleeve with respect to said sleeve of said first means whereby the relative longitudinal distance between said sleeves is adjustable.

10. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion for removably connecting said sleeveto said other end portion.

11. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving includes another sleeve surrounding said other end portion, said means for moving including a pair of elongated elements respectively attached at one of their ends to said sleeves, each said element of said means for moving including a clamping portion adjacent the other element end for releasably attaching the tool to the frame ofa vehicle.

12. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 11 wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion for removably connecting said other sleeve to said other end portion.

13. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions first means connec ed to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said second means including a pair of elongated elements and a pair of sleeves surrounding said other end portion, said other end portion being threaded, said second means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion for removably connecting one of said sleeves thereto, said nut when tightened against said one sleeve securely affixing said elements to a frame of a vehicle, said second means including movable means disposed between the other said sleeve and said first means for adjusting the relative longitudinal distance between said first and second means.

14. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 13 wherein said first means includes a pair of elongated elements one of which is fixed to said one end portion, said one end portion being threaded, said first means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded one end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve, said first means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements engaging the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned therebetween, said nut when tightened against said sleeve securely affixing the axle between said pair of elements.

15. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, each of said first and second means including a pair of elongated elements in face to face relation disposed on said body,

each said end portion being threaded, each said first and second means including a nut respectively threaded on said one and other end portion for removably connecting one of said element of each said pair of elongated elements to said body, one said nut when tightened securely affixing one said pair of elements to a frame of a vehicle, the other said not when tightened securely affixing the other said pair of elements to the rear axle of the vehicle, said tool further including movable means disposed between said first and second means for adjusting the relative longitudinal distance between said first and second means.

16. In the wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 15 wherein said movable means includes a third nut threadedly engaged on said other end portion, said one nut and said third nut sandwiching therebetween said one pair of elements.

ll 5' 10! l l 

1. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion and including clamping means for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said other end portion being threaded, said clamping means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded other end portion and longitudinally slidable thereon, said clamping means including a pair of nuts disposed on opposite sides of said sleeve and threadedly engaged on said threaded portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeve toward and away from said first means, said first means including a pair of elongated elements one of which being fixed to said one end portion, said one end portion bring threaded, said first means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded one end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve, said first means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements engaging the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned therebetween, said nut when tightened against said sleeve securely affixing the axle between said pair of elements.
 2. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said other end portion being threaded, said second means including a pair of sleeves surrounding said threaded other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, each said sleeve having opposite ends with one of each said ends being in face to face relation, said second means including a pair of nuts disposed adjacent the other of each said ends and threadedly engaged on said threaded portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeves toward and away from said first means.
 3. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 2 wherein said second means includes a pair of elongated elements respectively attached to one of their ends to said sleeves, each said element including a clamping portion adjacent the other element end for releasably attaching the tool to a frame of a vehicle.
 4. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said second means including means for moving said second means relatively toward and away from said first means whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said first means iNcluding a pair of elongated elements one of which is fixed to said one end portion said one end portion being threaded, said first means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded one end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve, said first means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements engaging the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned therebetween, said nut when tightened against said sleeve securely affixing the axle between said pair of elements.
 5. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 4, wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a sleeve surrounding said threaded other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, said means for moving including a pair of nuts disposed on opposite sides of said sleeve and threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeve toward and away from said first means.
 6. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 4 wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a pair of sleeves surrounding said threaded other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, each said sleeve having opposite ends with one of each said ends being in face to face relation, said means for moving including a pair of nuts disposed adjacent the other of each said sleeve ends and threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion whereby adjustment of said nuts thereon moves said sleeves toward and away from said first means.
 7. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for moving includes a pair of elongated elements respectively attached to one of their ends to said sleeves, each said element of said means for moving including a clamping portion adjacent the other element end for releasably attaching the tool to a frame of a vehicle.
 8. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said second means including means for moving said second means relatively toward and away from said first means whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said one and other end portions being threaded, said means for moving including a pair of elongated elements and a pair of sleeves attached to respective said elements adjacent respective ends thereof, the other element ends forming a clamping portion for releasably attaching the tool to the spring plate mounting cover bolt of a vehicle, said sleeves being surroundingly disposed on said threaded other end portion, said means for moving including a nut threadedly disposed on said other end portion for removably connecting one of said sleeves to said other end portion, said first means including a pair of elongated elements one of which is fixed to said one member end portion, said firs means including a sleeve surrounding and slidably disposed on said threaded one end portion and a nut threadedly disposed on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve thereto, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve disposed on said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements on said one end portion forming a clamping portion for releasably attaching the tool to the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned between said pair of elements.
 9. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for moving includes a sleeve surrounding said other end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, said means for moving including means for adjusting said sleeve with respect to said sleeve of said first meAns whereby the relative longitudinal distance between said sleeves is adjustable.
 10. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said other end portion.
 11. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving includes another sleeve surrounding said other end portion, said means for moving including a pair of elongated elements respectively attached at one of their ends to said sleeves, each said element of said means for moving including a clamping portion adjacent the other element end for releasably attaching the tool to the frame of a vehicle.
 12. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 11 wherein said other end portion is threaded, said means for moving including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion for removably connecting said other sleeve to said other end portion.
 13. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, said second means including a pair of elongated elements and a pair of sleeves surrounding said other end portion, said other end portion being threaded, said second means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded other end portion for removably connecting one of said sleeves thereto, said nut when tightened against said one sleeve securely affixing said elements to a frame of a vehicle, said second means including movable means disposed between the other said sleeve and said first means for adjusting the relative longitudinal distance between said first and second means.
 14. The wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 13 wherein said first means includes a pair of elongated elements one of which is fixed to said one end portion, said one end portion being threaded, said first means including a sleeve surrounding said threaded one end portion and being longitudinally slidable thereon, the other said element being affixed to said sleeve, said first means including a nut threadedly engaged on said threaded one end portion for removably connecting said sleeve to said one end portion, said pair of elongated elements engaging the rear axle of a vehicle when positioned therebetween, said nut when tightened against said sleeve securely affixing the axle between said pair of elements.
 15. A wheel alignment tool comprising an elongated body having opposite end portions, first means connected to one said end portion for releasable attachment to a rear axle adjacent a wheel of a vehicle to be aligned, second means connected to the other said end portion for releasable attachment to the frame of a vehicle forwardly of the rear axle and adjacent the wheel to be aligned, said first and second means being relatively movable toward and away from each other whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted, each of said first and second means including a pair of elongated elements in face to face relation disposed on said body, each said end portion being threaded, each said first and second means including a nut respectively threaded on said one and other end portion for removably connecting one of said element of each said pair of elongated elements to said body, one said nut when tightened securely affixing one said pair of elements to a frame of a vehicle, the other said nut when tightened securely affixing the other said pair of elements to the rear axle of the vehicle, said tool further including movable means disposed between said first and second means fOr adjusting the relative longitudinal distance between said first and second means.
 16. In the wheel alignment tool as defined in claim 15 wherein said movable means includes a third nut threadedly engaged on said other end portion, said one nut and said third nut sandwiching therebetween said one pair of elements. 